Food & Farm News
» June 30, 2010 «
Pear growers await the start of harvest
This is the time of year when pear harvest typically begins, but the California Pear Advisory Board says this year's crop remains at least two weeks away from harvest. Orchards along the Sacramento River may start picking pears by about July 18. Cooler than average spring weather delayed the crop. Once the harvest begins, farmers expect to produce about 67 thousand tons of pears this season.
New apricot variety becomes available 
After more than 15 years of collecting seeds and breeding trees, a farmer has developed a new apricot variety that is now becoming available. The fruit, known as the Candycot, grew out of varieties collected from Central Asia. Candycots are now available in one-pound boxes through about mid-July at selected stores nationwide and at a farmers market in San Francisco. The farmer says he plans to expand production in future years.
Wheat harvest behind schedule
Wheat harvest in California started later than usual this year because of cool spring weather. More winter wheat acreage was planted this year, and a government forecast predicts a 6 percent increase in total wheat production. However, the yield per acre is expected to be down in part because of problems caused by spring rains. A variety of wheat grown in the desert could have near record yields. Durum wheat is used mainly to make pasta.
More olive oil health benefits
Scientists have learned that eating virgin olive oil actually turns down certain human genes that are linked to diseases. In a test using 20 volunteers, the researchers found that 79 genes are turned down when volunteers ate experimental breakfasts containing virgin olive oil. Researchers concluded that the results shed light on a molecular basis for reduced heart disease risk among people living in Mediterranean countries, where virgin olive oil is the main course of dietary fats.
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